--- title: Visual Studio Reviews meta_title: 'Visual Studio Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 4013 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Visual Studio works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.5 review_count: 4013 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-11-06' parent_category: name: Integrated Development Environments (IDE) url: https://www.g2.com/categories/integrated-development-environments-ide ---

Visual Studio Reviews & Product Details

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Value at a Glance

Averages based on real user reviews.

Time to Implement

3 months

Return on Investment

12 months

User Insights

Average based on 4013 real user reviews.

Implementation Time

3 months

Perceived Cost

$$$$$

Typical contract price

$0k - $0k

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Visual Studio Reviews FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: Nov 01, 2026

What is Visual Studio, and what problem is it built to solve?

Visual Studio is an integrated development environment for building software, with coding, debugging, testing, and project work brought together in one workspace. That helps developers avoid piecing together separate tools for each stage of development.

What company sizes and industries is Visual Studio the best fit for?

Visual Studio has a broad mix of users, with reviewer-reported company sizes clustering across small businesses, mid-market organizations, and enterprises. The industries most represented include:
  • Company sizes: Small businesses, mid-market organizations, and enterprises.
  • Industries: Computer software and information technology and services.

What customer support options does Visual Studio provide, and how do users find the overall support experience?

Support can be helpful, but the experience is not always consistent. Users value documentation and community resources for finding guidance, while direct help can feel limited and resolving more specific issues may take time.

What is the experience like for teams switching to Visual Studio from another tool?

Switching to Visual Studio has often meant moving from a lighter editor, online coding tool, or another IDE to a more integrated environment. The appeal is having stronger debugging, project management, and development tools in one place, particularly for complex projects or work tied to Microsoft technologies; the tradeoff can be a heavier, more feature-dense setup.

What tools and platforms does Visual Studio integrate with, and how do these integrations help users get more value from the product?

Visual Studio offers 67 integrations, spanning several parts of the development workflow:
  • Source control and collaboration: Git, GitHub, and Jira.
  • Cloud and DevOps: Azure DevOps Server, Azure Pipelines, and Azure Functions.
  • Containers and infrastructure: Docker Hub and Kubernetes.
  • Databases: Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
  • AI and coding assistance: GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude.
These connections help keep source control, cloud work, databases, and coding assistance close to the coding and debugging workflow, reducing the need to switch between tools.

What features or capabilities could make Visual Studio even more useful?

Visual Studio could be more useful with improvements that make everyday work feel lighter and easier to navigate. Recurring areas for improvement include:
  • Performance: Reduce memory use and improve startup, solution loading, and responsiveness on large projects and less powerful machines.
  • Onboarding and navigation: Simplify the interface and setup choices, with clearer guidance for new users and easier access to tools and settings.
  • Extensions and updates: Make extensions easier to configure and manage, and reduce compatibility problems or workflow interruptions after updates.

How useful do Visual Studio users find its AI features in everyday use?

Visual Studio’s AI assistance can make routine coding and troubleshooting faster, though the results still need a developer’s review. Users describe it as most helpful for repetitive work and understanding or fixing code, with occasional inaccurate suggestions or missed instructions.
  • Code completion and suggestions: Help continue code as it is written and reduce repetitive typing.
  • Code generation: Provide a starting point for boilerplate, functions, and tests.
  • Code explanations and debugging help: Assist with understanding unfamiliar code and investigating errors.

Visual Studio Reviews (4,013)

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Reviews

Visual Studio Reviews (4,013)

View 6 Video Reviews
4.5
4,013 reviews

What do users say?

Generated using AI from real user reviews

Pros & Cons

Generated from real user reviews
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Dhaneshwar M.
DM
Dhaneshwar M.
Staff Database Engineer
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Excellent Debugging and IntelliSense Make Development Smoother in Visual Studio"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

What I like best about Visual Studio is that it makes development feel a lot smoother. The debugging tools are excellent, IntelliSense saves a ton of time, and having everything from coding to source control in one place means I can stay focused instead of jumping between different tools. It just helps me get work done faster with less hassle Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

One thing that frustrates me about Visual Studio is that it can feel a little bulky at times. When I'm working with larger solutions, startup and build times can be slower than I'd like. There are also so many menus and options that I still find myself hunting for settings occasionally. Overall, it's a great tool, but it doesn't always feel as lightweight and responsive as I'd want Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Abhijit N.
AN
Abhijit N.
Software developer
Information Technology and Services
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Originally submitted 10/31/2025
"Best Application for enterprise projects debugging, except freezing issues"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

I use Visual Studio every day, and one thing is clear: it’s one of the best options for enterprise projects. Yes, VS Code has a lot of features, but Visual Studio stands out in many production projects. Debugging feels simpler, and the UI is cleaner than VS Code. For production work, I think Visual Studio is the best choice. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

When I start debugging code, there are a couple of things I’ve noticed. First, when I fix the code while it’s running and then save it, it sometimes freezes for a while and is slow to pick up the updated code. Second, the code formatting isn’t that good compared to VS, and I really wish it were better. and one more its slower than vs please make it fast Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Chaitanya D.
CD
Chaitanya D.
Senior Software Engineer
Information Technology and Services
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Originally submitted 7/30/2026
"Reliable, Easy-to-Use IDE with Strong Debugging and Tool Integration"
5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

As an Angular developer working on fintech projects for the last 5 years, I like Visual Studio because it provides a clean and easy-to-use interface that improves the development experience. It integrates well with Git, Azure DevOps, and other development tools, making collaboration simple. The IDE offers strong debugging and code navigation, which helps improve performance and reduce development time. Getting started is straightforward with good documentation and built-in guidance. AI features like IntelliCode provide useful code suggestions that speed up coding and improve code quality. Overall, Visual Studio is a reliable IDE that helps me develop, test, and maintain applications efficiently. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

Visual Studio is a powerful IDE, but it can be resource-intensive and sometimes feels slow when working with large solutions. Startup time and project loading could be faster, especially on systems with limited RAM. Some updates require restarting the IDE, which interrupts the development workflow. While the AI features are helpful, they could provide more accurate suggestions for Angular and front-end development. Improving overall performance and reducing memory usage would make the experience even better. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Lalit R.
LR
Lalit R.
Software Engineer
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Originally submitted 1/15/2026
"Visual Studio: Real-Time Debugging and Git Integration for Enterprise Projects"
5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

I like Visual Studio because it makes working on large and complex projects much easier. The debugging tools are especially useful since I can step through the code, check variable values, and quickly find where something is going wrong. I also find the Git integration really convenient because I can manage changes and track development without constantly switching between different tools. Overall, it saves time and makes the development process much smoother. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

Visual Studio is a powerful IDE, but it can feel quite heavy at times. It uses a lot of system resources, especially when working on large projects, which can sometimes make the system slower. There are also so many features, menus, and settings that it can be a little overwhelming, especially for someone who is new Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Aditya A.
AA
Aditya A.
YouTube Content Creator
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores.
"All-in-One IDE for Java & Web Dev, but Heavy and Extension-Dependent"
3/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

As a Java developer with around 4 years of experience, I like Visual Studio because it provides a convenient and productive development environment for working across both backend and frontend technologies. While working on Java applications along with Angular and React, I find it useful to have most of the development tools available in one place.

One of the features I like the most is the built-in terminal, as I can run Maven, npm, Git, and other commands directly from the IDE without having to open a separate terminal window. The large ecosystem of plugins and extensions is also very helpful because I can add support for different frameworks, debugging tools, Git integrations, code formatting, and other development requirements based on the project.

Overall, Visual Studio helps me manage different parts of an application more efficiently and reduces the need to switch between multiple applications while developing and debugging. For me, the value is good compared to what I am paying because it saves time in my day-to-day development work. As a Java developer working on a medical management system, I use it for understanding code, troubleshooting issues, resolving code conflicts, and getting quick explanations when I am stuck.

The biggest benefit is the time saved. Instead of spending a long time searching through documentation or different forums for a solution, I can get a starting point quickly and then verify and implement it myself. Considering the productivity improvement and the amount of time it saves, I feel the value I get is worth the cost. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

The main thing I dislike about Visual Studio is that it can sometimes feel heavy and resource-intensive, especially when working on larger projects with multiple extensions and services enabled. It may consume a significant amount of memory and occasionally take some time to load or index the project.

For a Java developer working with Angular, React, and Spring Boot, I also feel that the experience can vary depending on the plugins and extensions being used. Sometimes extensions may conflict with each other or require additional configuration. The IDE can also have a steeper learning curve compared to lighter editors, particularly when customizing the environment.

Overall, these are relatively minor drawbacks, but improving startup performance, memory usage, and plugin stability would make the development experience even better. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Mahmoud K.
MK
Mahmoud K.
IT Officer
Information Technology and Services
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Powerful, Feature-Rich IDE—But Too Resource-Intensive and Slow to Start"
2.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

Visual Studio provides a comprehensive and feature-rich development environment, especially for .NET and Microsoft-based technologies. I particularly appreciate the built-in project templates, powerful debugging tools, code intelligence features, and seamless integration with development workflows. It offers many capabilities out of the box, which helps accelerate development and reduces the need for extensive third-party setup. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

While Visual Studio is extremely powerful, it can feel resource-intensive compared to lighter alternatives such as Visual Studio Code. The application size, startup time, and overall system resource consumption can sometimes impact the development experience, especially on less powerful machines. For many modern development tasks, I often prefer using VS Code or browser-based environments because they feel faster, more lightweight, and easier to work with. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Arnav V.
AV
Arnav V.
Full stack
Computer Software
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Lightweight, Easy-to-Use Coding Tool with Some Performance Slowdowns"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

I like the simple interface and how easy it is to use. It runs smoothly, is lightweight, starts quickly, and supports many programming languages, so I can work on different projects. I have the essential tools for coding, testing, debugging, and managing projects in one place, including a built-in terminal. The extensions and customization options are useful, and Git integration helps keep my work organized and efficient. I also find the initial setup straightforward; installing it took only a few minutes, and getting started was simple. Regular updates make it a dependable tool for my day-to-day development work. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

I sometimes find Visual Studio slow when I work on large projects or use too many extensions. It can also take some time to configure certain extensions and settings. I’d like to see better performance and a simpler setup process. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Alber M.
AM
Alber M.
Full Stack Software Engineer
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Visual Studio: Indispensable for Agile Development"
5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

I like that Visual Studio has some very good extensions to download, and its visual aspect, including the description part and the layout, is very good. It is responsive, easy to use, and never crashes. I really appreciate the error explanation in Visual Studio, unlike other code editors. For example, if an error appears in the code, by hovering the mouse, Visual Studio provides an explanation of where the error is and how to fix it, which is very useful. Moreover, it speeds up my work, since instead of wasting time looking for solutions on the internet, Visual Studio already explains and resolves the errors quickly, which is valuable to me. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

I think the use of Copilot rewards could be improved. For example, the notifications that appear when I use it too much show up only once and then disappear. This means I might not even notice the notification and continue using it, spending money without realizing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Ashwin R.
AR
Ashwin R.
Software Developer
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Complete, Feature-Rich IDE That Boosts Productivity"
5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

Things I enjoy about Visual Studio: it’s a complete development environment. I like IntelliSense and how it helps me read and write code correctly. It also has a powerful, feature-rich debugger and tools like the profiler. The integration of Visual Studio with Git and Azure is seamless, and there are a lot of VS extensions available. I also appreciate the support for different programming languages like C++, Python, etc. On top of that, it includes productivity enhancements such as code navigation, refactoring, and unit test integration and runners. All of these features help make my overall coding experience more efficient and faster. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

Visual Studio is a feature-rich IDE, but it can be quite resource-intensive. On larger solutions in particular, this can translate into slower startup times and higher memory usage. The interface can also feel overwhelming for new users, given the sheer number of features and configuration options available. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Anujkumar Y.
AY
Anujkumar Y.
Associate Project Manager
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Originally submitted 3/24/2026
"Superb code editor"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio?

I've been using Visual Studio for over 5 years and find it to be an amazing product by Microsoft. It's super easy to code in any language using plugins, which I really appreciate. The user-friendly interface is not chaotic, making it accessible from interns to senior developers. The AI tool integration is helpful for doing basic things, and I find the plugins to be really good. Using different plugins helps a lot. The initial setup of Visual Studio was really easy. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio?

Sometimes Visual Studio closes automatically, especially on Mac. The tick icon functionality could be improved as it takes a lot of time. Additionally, the process for stashing and reverting changes is a bit difficult and could be better integrated. The UI is so basic you can improve it ex webstrom Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Questions about Visual Studio? Ask real users or explore answers from the community

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GU
Guest User
•
Last activity 9 months ago

What is Visual Studio used for?

1 Upvote
10
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Anigbogu C.
AC
Anigbogu Chioma
•
Last activity about 2 years ago

My reviews are all getting rejected

Pricing Insights

Averages based on real user reviews.

Time to Implement

3 months

Return on Investment

12 months

Average Discount

14%

Perceived Cost

$$$$$
Visual Studio Comparisons
Visual Studio Features
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